Sunday, February 7, 2010

An eco-friendly cycle rally by Youth Hostel

Mysore, Nov. 2- It was a special Sunday for children and senior citizens who celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava in a unique manner by participating in the cycle rally organised by Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), Gangotri Unit, to create awareness about environmental pollution and to promote cycling. Around 30 people took part in the 30-km rally with immense zeal and enthusiasm. The rally began from Srirampura Road at 7 am and passed through various routes and reached Kanana Organic Farm in Baradarapura Village, Jayapura Hobli. The rally was flagged off by Ramesh Kikeri, Technical Officer, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement and S. Shyam-sundar, Committee Member, YHAI, Gangotri Unit and Director, NIE-CREST. He gave a talk on environmental issues at the farm and stressed the importance of protecting environment and inculcated moral values among the participants. He also explained about Renewable Energy Technology systems and Rainwater Harvesting.Shyamsundar said "the main purpose of the rally is to promote cycling as it is good for health and does not cause pollution." R.G. Nagaraj, former President, YHAI, K.B. Ganpathy, Editor-in-chief, SOM and Ralie Ganapathy, Executive Director, were present.Ganapathy appreciated the concern of YHAI in saving the environment by arranging regular cycle rally and creating a sense of environmental friendliness among people.At the farm, many eco-friendly technologies were introduced to the participants like solar cooker, bio-gas plant, Energy efficient stove, organic farming and constructing buildings using mud blocks. The identification of plants and trees in the farm, their importance in nature and their medicinal value were also introduced.Several traditional games like Lagori, Choukabara, Alugulimane were played. Many of the cyclists expressed happiness and thanked the Association for organising such rallies. On the way back, the cycling team visited the informal school Kaliyuva Mane. The Youth Hostel Movement was the brainchild of German teacher Richard Schirmann who established first Inter-national Youth Hostel in the year 1909 and later in 1949 the first Youth Hostel in India was esta-blished at Maharaja College Hostel, Mysore. YHAI, Gangotri Unit is actively involved in promoting adventures skills and environmental issues. Every week the Association conducts special lecture and other educational-related programmes. YHAI also conducts regular trekking expedition.[Monday 2nd November 2009]